An im al-exterminator



(No Model.)

G; GILL PAfI-JR ICK. ANIMAL EXTERMINATOR.

Patented Apr. 26,1892.

@Wi/Dvvma. www/bo u v I b W UNTTED STATES PATENT Crrrcm GEORGE GILLPATRICK, OF MARTINEZ, ASSIGNOR OF ON E-IIALF TC GEORGE IV. ELLIS, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

ANIMAL-EXTERMINATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 473,872, dated April 26, 1892. Application filed December 14. 1891. Serial No. 414,941. (No model.)

To aZ Z whom it may concern: more durable than any device for a similar Be it known that I, GEORGE GILLPATRIOK, purpose heretofore known to me. a cltlzen of the Unlted States, residing at Mar- Referring to the drawing forming a part tinez, in the county of Contra Costa and State of this specification, in which similar letters of California, have invented certain new and of reference are used to denote corresponduseful Improvements in Animal-Exterminaiug parts throughout the entire specification, tors; and I do hereby declare the following the letter A is used to indicate the supportto be a full, clear, and exact description of said ing-rod of my device, which by preference I invention, such as will enable others skilled construct of thin rod-iron of such ductility in the art to which it most nearly appcrtains as to permit of same being easily bent, as dcto make, use, and practice the same. sired, although the supporting-rod may be My invention has relation to certain new made of any suitable material. The upper and useful improvements in a device which I end or handle B is constructed of less material term an animal-exterminator, which conin order to add greater flexibility thereto and I5 sists in the arrangement of parts and details terminates in an open loop I), through which a t of constructiomas will be more fully set forth peg C may be driven in order to hold same in the drawing, described, and pointed out firmly to the ground, so as to prevent displacein the specification. ment when force is exerted thereon. If so de- It is a well-known fact that one of the greatsired, the handle may be made separate from est annoyances which the farmer has to conrod A and secured thereto in any well-known 7e tend with results from damage to the grainmanner. Upon the supporting-rod A,Ibolt or fields, orchards, and vineyards, caused by otherwise secure cross-pieces D D near the fieldrats, moles, gophers, squirrels, and rabtop and bottom, as shownin the drawing. To bits, which burrow beneath the soil and eat or these cross-pieces I fasten a series of upwarddestroy the grain planted therein, which loss ly-inclined knives or bladesEE,which knives amounts to thousands of dollars per year and are fastened to the cross-pieces in anysuitable in many cases completely destroy the entire manner. By increasing the width of the supyearly crop. Many devices have been emporting or connecting rod A the cross-pieces ployed to kill or trap the destroying pest, but may be dispensed with and upwardly-project- 30 the same have always proved too expensive ing knives secured directly thereto. By prefor complicated for use, untilasalast resort the erence I secure the knives in series of three; farmer has been compelled to adopt the use but more or less may be employed. However, of poison, which is laid or sprinkled around Iprefer to secure the blades to the cross-pieces the burrow made by the animal; but while this instead of directly to the supporting-rod; but

3 5 has been found effective in many cases it is, it is obvious that the two cross-pieces may be however, disastrous to farm-cattle, which unconnected together by means of wire. knowingly feed upon pastures containing poi- My device is used in the following manner: son. Consequently the farmer is compelled The supporting-rod or connecting-strap, with v to either submit to the destruction of grain the knives attached thereto, is run or placed 1,0 by these animals or take chances as to the into the hole or burrow formed by the animal 0 safety of his cattle. and is firmly seouredin place by means of peg The object of my invention is to provide a C, which passes through loop Z? of handle B simple and effectual device which shall cause and is driven firmly into the ground. Inasthe death of such animals by causing same to much as the knives or blades run at such an 5 be disemboweled in their efforts to run in or incline, as shown, it is obvious that the hole 5 out of the ground-holes, thus assuring their or burrow is not entirely filled. Consequently death, and at the same time overcoming the as the mole, squirrel, rat, rabbit, dze, endeavdanger attendant on the use of poison for this ors to run in or out he contacts with the back purpose, and at the same time one which shall of the blades or knives; but inasmuch as they 50 be simple of operation, less expensive, and are dull his progress is not stopped. Conse- IOO quently as the forward movement is contin ued the body graduallyfrom the weight thereof bears upon the point of the knives. If the Weight of the body causes the point of the knives to penetrate the skin, the pain thereof will cause the animal to move backward, when from the slope the blades will cut into the body and cause the disemboweling of the animal, which if not immediately causing his death Will do so shortly thereafter. Should the animal, however, succeed in passing one set of knives, it will be impossible to pass the other, inasmuch as the cutting-cdge of the knives is met with. Consequently he is then imprisoned between the upper and lower series of knives, and as he forces his way in or out is completely disemboweled. By means of the peg-fastening it is impossible to move the device from its place within the hole. By placin g or locating this devicein a numberof holes the animals will be shortly exterminated.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An exterminator for ground-animals,

consisting of a supporting strap or rod having a series of cutting knives or blades secured thereto and projecting upwardly, said rod or strap being adaptedto be secured within the animals burrow, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, with a flexible strap, of the knife-plate fastened thereto and of the knives projecting therefrom, said strap and knives being adapted to be secured Within the animals burrow, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination, with the flexible supporting-strap, of ahandle provided with a ground-fastener, knife-plates secured near the top and bottom of the strap, and the cuttingblades arranged thereon, as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In an animal-extermiuator, the combination, with the knife-plate, of knives arranged thereon and projecting upwardly therefrom, and means of securing the plate and knives within the animals burrow, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE GILLPATRIOK.

Witnesses:

R. H. LATIMER, W. O. GERRISH. 

